Page 7 - CYAA 2022 Winter Series Race 7 31st July

raced to Martini, set her up and just
made the start line on time at 11.45am.
In fact we were still preparing the
boat as we crossed the start line.
We really need three people to sail
Martini well but the third crewman
was now at work so we did the male
thing and convinced ourselves that
we two could sail with just two of
us ... well really 1.8, as Michael had
cracked his ribs and was not fully
mobile.

The first hour was very calm and
we debated about whether we would
hoist the No 1 headsail. We were
having a great time sailing with the
other boats at a leisurely 2–3 knots
and had a good lunch. But this ominous
dark cloud bank was creeping towards
us from the south west. We were
concerned about it and kept an eye
on the BOM radar until our mobile
phone decided it could no longer
receive data at about 1pm.
Just after 1pm the weather after every one. I managed to do
started to hit and it quickly built over. Things were now urgent and it and in the process got saturated
up to a gale before we could reef being the most agile one, I had to from my regular dunkings, but we
the main sail and change the go forward and take down the No 2 had to keep going. With hindsight
headsail down from the No 2 to headsail, drop it down a forward I wonder about the ‘had to keep
the No 3. The sea built up and hatch and then clip on the No 3. going’: it must be a male thing. The
soon we were battling large Normally this is fine but I had never wind was now howling. The radio
waves that quickly built up to two done it in these conditions. I had no had come alive with calls from other
metres. Before long the wind and choice as Martini was getting belted. yachts that were in serious trouble.
the waves were just knocking us We heard calls from five yachts that
The bow was being hammered by these had been dismasted and we think
large waves and going under water